Cat Behavior. Knowing what normal cat behavior is will help in training cats and treating problem cat behavior. Learn more about instinctive behavior and behavior problems such as scratching and spraying.

These new understandings help improve the quality of our relationship with cats and can help resolve behavioural problems and enhance our cat's quality of life.

Cat behaviour reflects not only their general well being, but also how they relate to their environment.Each display is a means of expression, and understanding them is an important part of a happy life with your cat.

So, what is your cat trying to tell you?

Learn to understand your cat's behaviour, and how to interpret your cat's language...

Body Language

Your cat uses body language almost exclusively to communicate. From the way your cat stands to the position of its ears, your cat is saying something.


A bend in the forelegs shows that the cat would rather avoid a fight, but will defend itself if the need arises. When your cat expands its body, fluffing up, it is showing both confidence and aggression. If the cat's legs are stretched fully, it is self-assured and prepared to attack.

A bend in the hind legs, however, shows indecision, or even timidity. When a cat shrinks its body size, legs tucked underneath, it's showing submission, as well as readiness for action.

If it's sneaking around low to the ground at a crawl, it is going after something, stalking its 'victim'.

Head

When a cat raises its head directly, this is an attempt to display dominance.

If the head is lowered, that means submissiveness, or even a feeling of inferiority. When the head is completely tucked in, your cat is probably bored.

Ears

When the ears are back and the posture is steady, the cat is unsure of what move to make, considering its options.

If the ears are back, and the body is low to the ground, this is a display of shame or remorse. The cat's pricked ears show its interest in what's going on around it.

Eyes

According to animal behaviourists when your cat looks steadily at you and gives you several long, slow blinks, your cat is giving you the equivalent of a kiss.

Narrow, dilated pupils on the other hand, say "I'm annoyed."

Whiskers

If your cat's whiskers are sticking straight out to the side your cat is content. If they lie flat against your cat's cheeks it's afraid and feeling defensive.

Tail

A cat's tail acts as an extension of its thoughts, an indicator of its mood and as a warning of intention. When a cat moves its entire tail back and forth it's an indication that it is annoyed and asking to be left alone, say experts.

Severely agitated cats will move their tails rapidly back and forth from the base, a clear threatening signal. Generally speaking, the larger and more rapid, the more upset the cat.


It is to the cat's advantage to exhibit a visible warning to other cats (and to you), in an effort to avoid direct conflict. Cats involved in a conflict may extend their fully bristled tail straight into the air and turn their body sideways to appear larger.

If a cat is afraid or is trying to avoid a confrontation with a dominant cat, its tail will 'puff up' or become bristled. It will then lower its tail or tuck it betweens it's legs as a sign of submission.

According to animal behaviourists a raised tail, as long as the fur isn't bristled, indicates that the cat is being friendly. If the cat is really excited, the upraised tail might begin to twitch.

Meowing

Vocal cats utilize vowel sounds to indicate their desires, the classic "meow" as an example. The subtle differences in sound communicate commands as well as requests and complaints.

Studies of cat interactions show that a short, soft-spoken "meow" is the equivalent of "How are you?" In contrast, a loud and drawn out "meo-o-ow" is a demand for food or attention.

If your cat makes a soft "R" noise that ends in a trill, your cat is beckoning you to it!

Purring

Purring is normally associated with contentment and happiness in cats. Interestingly, though, purring is sometimes heard in cats when they're feeling an extreme emotion - whether it's happiness, irritation or pain - perhaps as a self-comforting vocalization.

Hissing

With adult cats, there is a level of high intensity sounds that are created by the cat shaping its mouth.

Hisses and grumbling are the most common example, used primarily between other cats as a means of communicating aggressive or defensive intentions. Cats in heat and feral strays also use this form of communication.

Silent Cats

Not all cats are very vocal. Some perfectly healthy cats rarely meow. Some cat breeds are more prone to spells of silence, but sometimes, individual cats of the more vocal breeds are also not very talkative.

When a cat that is normally vocal loses its voice or become hoarse, it could indicate an inflammation of the voice box. This medical condition, known as laryngitis, may be caused by throat infections, tonsillitis, inhalant allergies and pulmonary disease.

Rubbing

Aromatic markers called pheromones help establish and maintain a cat's territory. These powerful scents are critical elements in communication between cats, and are emitted by different glands located strategically throughout the cat's body.


Rubbing cheeks acts not only as a means to pick up or leave scent markers, but also a means to create a relationship based upon physical contact.

Cats will also use contact to communicate urgency, from gentle reminders of feeding time to a demanding insistent rub. Rubbing or butting may also be a signal of social rank.

Sucking and Kneading

If a young kitten is adopted before completing a full 12-week suckling period, it will often suckle its owner in its mother's place. This behaviour is often accompanied by 'kneading' with its paws while sucking skin or clothing.

Sometimes this sucking and kneading behaviour will continue into your cat's adult years. Try to provide a safe toy or object of his own towards which he can direct this behaviour. If he decides to use you or your clothing for this activity, as cats often do, simply show your disapproval. A surprising shout or loud noise is usually sufficient.


While it can be painful, remember that kneading is a sign of happiness. Adult cats knead as a throwback to their kittenhoods. Kittens knead at their mother's teats to increase the flow of milk.

Helping Your Cat Cope With Change

Cat Fight - Learn how to identify and to differentiate between cat play and cat fights. Discover the best ways to avoid and stop cat fights with the following simple yet effective tips.

Cat Training - Effective tips on training your cat to use its litterbox or to teach your pet to stop scratching the furniture.Simple tried and tested cat training advice.

Cat Behavior Problems:

Spraying and Marking

As a rule, cats spray urine to establish the boundaries of their territory. Both male and female cats will naturally engage in this activity.

There are a large number of chemicals in cat urine that, to other cats, send a strong message indicating that the territory in question is already claimed and occupied.


Spraying is also a common behaviour during the mating season with males and females "communicating" their availability via their chemical markers.

In general, spraying behaviour occurs against vertical surfaces such as a wall, drapes or door. The cat is typically standing with rear legs straight, facing away from the object to be sprayed.

The tail is usually erect and quivering while a stream of urine is forcefully directed towards the vertical surface. Some cats will also make treading motions with the hind feet during the act.


Cats urinate outside their litter box for a number of reasons. It is important to rule out a medical problem involving your cat's Lower Urinary Tract as a cause for the problem.

A trip to your veterinarian for an examination is recommended to rule out the possibility of infection or some other inflammatory condition involving your cat's urinary tract.

When the problems are behavioural as opposed to medical, a pheromone spray can help in most circumstances.

What is likely to be marked:

• Walls near doors and windows
• Drapes
• New objects in the house
• Furniture
• Kitchen appliances

Scratching also serves as a means to mark territory. Cats have special glands on their paws that secret individual scent marks. We cannot smell those, but for other cats they serve as a clear signpost.

Scent marks are accentuated by the visual scratch marks, making a scratching post the feline equivalent of a personal signature.

Another important function that scratching serves is to let the cat release pent-up energy or emotional stress. However, there are people that get their cat's claws surgically removed usually due to their cat clawing and ruining furniture.

A simple solution to this is to buy a scratching post, or to allocate your cat something that it can happily claw.

Cats scratch themselves when grooming, they scratch other cats when aggressive in self-defence, cats also use their claws to climb, and to jump from one surface to another. Without claws a cat cannot reach the elevated places they love so much.

Cat clawing is natural,acceptable cat behaviour, and there are alternatives to 'de-clawing', so simply contact your vet for more information.

Cat Biting

Some inappropriate biting is age-related and is found in adolescent kittens and young adult cats.

To prevent it, try using a spray bottle filled with water. Owners can even put Bitter Apple spray from the pet store on their ankles so they won't taste as good when kitty is feeling frisky. The substance is harmless to the cat.

Hunting

One aspect of cat behaviour, which some owners find difficult to accept is hunting - especially when the cat insists on bringing their prey home.

Hunting is a very strong instinct in cats and the techniques can be seen in unpractised form in the play of young kittens.

As the kittens grow older, their skills are finely honed through further play and by watching the mother and copying her when she hunts.

Hunting is entirely natural cat behaviour and takes place even when they are well fed at home. There is no point in trying to punish your cat for hunting; it is a part of their nature.

One solution is to buy a collar with a bell so that birds and other likely victims are pre-warned of their presence. Make sure that the collar has an elasticised section to enable your cat to escape should it get caught on something.

Cat Aggression

Aggressive behaviors are part of the normal behavioral patterns of almost any animal species.

Cat bites are seldom reported, but probably occur more frequently than dog bites. Aggressive cats can be dangerous, so attempting to resolve a cat aggression problem often requires assistance from an animal behavior specialist who is knowledgeable about cat behavior.


Play-motivated aggressive behaviors are commonly observed in young, active cats less than two years of age.

Play incorporates a variety of behaviors, such as exploratory, investigative and predatory, and provides young cats with opportunities to practice skills they would normally need for survival.

Some cats will suddenly bite while they're being petted. This behavior isn't well understood, even by experienced animal behaviorists.

Biting is the cat's signal that she has had enough petting.Although people often describe their cats as biting without warning, cats do generally give several signals before biting.

You should become more aware of your cat's body postures, and cease petting or stop any other kind of interaction before a bite occurs. Signals to be aware of include:

• Restlessness
• Wide open eyes
• Dilated pupils (in case of a perceived threat)or
• very constricted pupils (as the cat tries to threaten back)
• Flattened ears
• Tail lashing or straight tail with bristled fur
• Agitated meows that turn into growling and snarling
• Hissing voices and sometimes even spitting
• Your cat turning or moving her head toward your hand.

When you observe any of these signals, it's time to stop petting your cat immediately.

Cat Treats

Treats can help during playtime, but try to limit their use as positive rewards for behavior modification. While there are circumstances when treats can be beneficial in accelerating a modification plan, they can also upset your cat's nutritional balance.